Ranger Award Elective Requirements

Backpacking

Develop a personal exercise plan and follow it for at least three
months, exercising at least three times a week. Set your goals with
backpacking in mind and write them down. Keep a daily diary.

Try on three types of backpacks. Learn how to choose the proper
size frame for your body size. Learn and then be able to explain
to others the difference between a soft pack, an internal frame
pack, and an external frame. Tell the pros and cons of each type
and what kind of trek you would take with each pack.

Explain the different parts of a backpack and their use.

Learn the proper way to lift and wear your backpack.

Describe at least four ways to limit weight and bulk in your
backpack without jeopardizing your health and safety.

Learn how you would load an internal frame pack versus one with
an external frame.

Pack your backpack with your personal gear, including outdoor
essentials, additional gear, and personal extras. Pack as though
You were sharing equipment with one other person for a three-day,
two-night backpacking trip.

List at least 10 items essential for an overnight backpacking
trek and explain why each item is necessary.

Present yourself to an experienced backpacker, unload your pack,
have him or her critique your packing, then repack your pack. Have
him or her critique your efforts.

List at least 20 items of group backpacking gear. Include a
group cleanup kit.

Learn how and then demonstrate how to cook a meal using a backpacking
stove.

Demonstrate proper sanitation of backpacking cook gear,.

Learn how to properly pack and carry a backpacking stove and
fuel.

List at least 10 environmental considerations that are important
for backpacking and describe ways to lessen their impact on the
environment.

Considering Leave No Trace principles, tell how to dispose of
the human waste, liquid waste, and garbage you generate on a backpacking
trip.

Considering Tread Lightly! principles, describe practices
that should be followed as you travel to the trail and use the
trailhead in both heavily used and remote areas.

Participate in three different treks of at least
three days and two nights each, covering at least 15 miles in distance
each.

Plan and lead a backpacking trek (can be one of
the treks in (a) above) with at least five people for at least two
days. This group can be your crew, another crew, a Boy Scout group,
or another youth group.

Plan the menu for this trek using commercially
prepared backpacking foods for at least one meal.

Check for any permits needed and prepare a trip
plan to be left with your family. Have an emergency contact number.

Using the map you used to chart your course, brief
the crew you are leading on your trip plan.

Lead a shakedown for those you are leading.

Learn about proper backpacking clothing for backpacking in all
four seasons.

Learn about proper footwear, socks, and foot care.

Learn and then demonstrate at least three uses for a poncho
in backpacking.

Learn about trail health considerations and typical backpacking
injuries such as hypothermia, frostbite, heat exhaustion, heat stroke,
altitude sickness, dehydration, blisters, stings and bites, and
sprains and how to avoid and treat these injuries and illnesses.

Because fluid intake is so important to a backpacker, tell how
to take care of your water supply on a backpacking trip. include
ways of purifying water and why that is important.

Prepare a first aid kit and survival kit for your backpack.

Using all the knowledge you have acquired about backpacking, make
a display or presentation for your crew, another crew, a Boy Scout group,
or another youth group. Include equipment and clothing selection and
use, trip planning, environmental considerations, trail health and safety
considerations, food selection and preparation, and backpacking physical
preparation.

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